Indonesia Speeds Haj Village Project in Mecca
Indonesia is expediting plans to build a haj village in Mecca to improve services for its pilgrims, with construction expected to begin by the end of this year or early 2026. The project, backed by state funds, BPKH, and Danantara, will provide accommodation for up to 500,000 pilgrims and include healthcare and logistical support. “Hopefully, the construction [of the haj village] will begin by the end of this year or early next year,” said Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Romo Muhammad Syafi’i. The initiative follows President Prabowo Subianto’s July visit to Saudi Arabia, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved Indonesia’s request to establish the facility near the Grand Mosque. (Jakarta Post)